Hello

QUOTE (Gwent rail @ 7 Aug 2006, 15:12) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>but they'll never get me into DCC. There's nothing that DCC can do that I can't do with wire and switches !! and mine is cheaper !!

Perhaps, but aside from a handful of engines, I am starting from scratch, and although I come from the Analogue stable, I am intrigued by DCC, and the potential of operating any of my engines anywhere on the layout without having to consider where the isolating sections are. Also, now maybe the ideal time to start DCC for me, since I am just about to lay track; if I set up now as Analogue (better the devil you know), it may be more difficult to convert to DCC later (trying to unisolate all those sections and sidings), and is it worth the effort of laying in all that wiring and isolating sections, if I can avoid this by going DCC? Hmm, choices choices.

Gwent Rail is in denial mode at the moment, this normally occurs before a sharp about face, and acceptance that his reason for not getting in DCC was erronious. DCC is fun. It does make for very satisfying operation of your layout. You will learn lots of new skills, and be the better for it.

My advice is run you first layout with DC for a few months and look and ask around. Try out some of the units on offer. Local support of a mate or another user who perhaps has managed to read his DCC manual and perhaps can help you read yours. !

Forget those nice looking DCC units that look like a train drivers knob ! With DCC its handheld control, and the ability to handle many loco's, functions and four digit addressing. Don't be tempted by a starter set without a clear upgrade path. Buy Big if you have the money. If not buy buy a crappy little starter set that you will soon out grow and have to resell to buy the next one up.

I've found the general attitiude in the UK in some clubs to very anti-DCC. I think disposable income has a lot to do with it. Here generally people have less to spend on hobbies, but they always seem to find the money to go to the pub.

In South Africa where I've just come from there is almost universal adoption of DCC amongst most modellers. The Pretoria model railroad club operates a huge modular layout totally by Digitrax DCC. Sponcered would you believe by one of the local casinos. Here a smaller modular layout and the members have hardly grasped the principles, and seem totally anti, pity because they don't know what their missing.

Mean while the rest of the world is moving on. Wiring DCC layouts is far less complex than DC, control is much better, and yes it does cost more. As you could afford a Porche you clearly can afford a simple old DCC unit.

In the 20's clockwork was a common means of power for model railways. DC changed all of that, it made possible many things that were just simply not practical with clock work. It was an advance of huge protortions, DCC is a similar advance. Grasp the technoligy of the future, and enjoy your model railway with DCC.